Senior Director, Product Strategy play a crucial role in any startup. It takes an extraordinary person to fulfil the Senior Director, Product Strategy role. We have selected these Senior Director, Product Strategy’s for this list as they are inspiring for a variety of reasons – whether that’s pushing boundaries, creating groundbreaking products, or doing their bit to save the world.
Our analysts did their best to select be best, and most innovative Senior Director, Product Strategy’s. The list is in no particular order!
Mark Galvin
Senior Director, Product Strategy @ Infobip
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Leadership | Product Strategy | Product Marketing | Product Innovation | Product Differentiation | Mergers & Acquisitions | Technical Partnerships | SaaS | MarTech | CPaaS | CCaaS | Startups | Consulting | Founder | Board Member & Advisor
Learn more about Mark Galvin on Crunchbase…Infobip specializes in omnichannel engagement powering a range of messaging channels, tools, and solutions for advanced customer engagement. Read more about Infobip on Crunchbase…
Simon Franks
Director @ Redbus Group
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Simon Franks is the founder of Redbus Group. Simon serves on the board of (or advisor to), a number of early stage companies. Simon has won a number of awards for business, including the Sunday Times Fast Track award. In 2013 Simon was selected as one of the world’s 100 top innovators by British Airways and was part of the “BA Ungrounded” flight for the 2013 G8 summit. Simon is also philanthropically and politically engaged, with a particular interest in issues pertaining to international development and separately, economic policy. Simon was an advisor to Ed Balls and the Labour Party on business, entrepreneurialism and innovation. Simon serves on the advisory board of the Labour campaign for International Development, the advisory board of Campaign Bootcamp, is International Chairman of the Lake Clinic in Cambodia and advisor to Tilganga Hospital in Kathmandu.
Learn more about Simon Franks on Crunchbase… Read more about Redbus Group on Crunchbase…
Vlad Yatsenko
Co-Founder & CTO @ Revolut
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Prior to co-founding Revolut, Vlad spent ten years building financial systems at tier one investment banks. Serving as CTO, Vlad has been at the forefront of Revolut’s award-winning technology, building a next generation banking experience.
Learn more about Vlad Yatsenko on Crunchbase…Revolut is a financial services company that specializes in mobile banking, card payments, money remittance, and foreign exchange. Read more about Revolut on Crunchbase…
Richard Fearn
Director & Founder @ The Friday Club London
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Richard started in his career in advertising but has since shifted his attention to start-ups. As an investor/advisor to over 50 early stage companies, including Sofar Sounds, Blaze, Dojo & What3Words, Richard has learnt a lot about what it takes to launch & grow a start-up. He also the co-founder of the ‘Friday Club London,’ a ‘non-profit’ events company aimed at providing start-ups free access to senior marketing expertise. Since launching, over 250 start-ups have benefitted from the programme. And in exchange for their advice, industry mentors have had access to the UK’s brightest founders. In 2013 & 2014 Richard was named in BIMA’s ‘Hot 100’ list and in 2016 and 2017 short-listed for the Europas ‘Investor of the Year’ award.
Learn more about Richard Fearn on Crunchbase…Friday Club London setup to help boost the success rates of London’s start-ups by getting them better access to top marketing professionals. Read more about The Friday Club London on Crunchbase…
Olivier Roussy Newton
Co-Founder, Director @ HIVE Blockchain
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A visionary young technology leader and a co-founder of HIVE, Olivier advises Genesis Mining, the world’s largest crypto miner, on new business initiatives. He is a partner at Latent Capital, an investment fund focused on quantum computing, financial technology and bioinformatics. Olivier’s expertise in the blockchain space helps the HIVE board to navigate challenges and identify new opportunities.
Learn more about Olivier Roussy Newton on Crunchbase… Read more about HIVE Blockchain on Crunchbase…
Christian Resch
Managing Director, GS Growth @ Goldman Sachs
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Christian Resch joined Goldman Sachs in 2004 and is a Managing Director responsible for growth equity investments. Christian typically invests between $20m and $200m of capital in individual transaction. Christian holds a Bachelor or Science from the London School of Economics and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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Hermann Hauser
Co-founder, Director, and Venture Partner @ Amadeus Capital Partners
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Hermann Hauser co-founded Amadeus Capital Partners in 1997 with Anne Glover and Peter Wynn. In his long and successful history as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Hermann has founded or co-founded companies in a wide range of technology sectors. These include Acorn Computers (where he helped spin out ARM), Active Book Company, Virata, Net Products, NetChannel and Cambridge Network Limited. He was a founder director of IQ (Bio), IXI Limited, Vocalis, SynGenix, Advanced Displays Limited (acquired by Cambridge Display Technology), Electronic Share Information Limited, E*Trade UK and has supported many other start-ups. Hermann’s successes at Amadeus include: CSR plc (LON: CSR); Entropic Research Laboratory (acquired by Microsoft in 1999); Solexa (acquired by Illumina in 2007); and Icera (acquired by Nvidia in 2011). He is currently a non-executive director of XMOS, a company that is revolutionising re-configurable silicon chips; Intune Networks, a pioneer in the field of Optical Packet Switch & Transport; Tobii, the world leader in eye tracking and gaze detection; Plastic Logic, the first company to commercialize flexible plastic transistors (currently used in computer displays); and Cambridge Broadband Networks, a leader in point-to-multipoint wireless backhaul products. Hermann holds an MA in Physics from Vienna University and a PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and an Honorary Fellow of King’s College, Cambridge. Hermann holds honorary doctorates from the Universities of Bath, Loughborough and from Anglia Ruskin University and was awarded an Honorary CBE for ‘innovative service to the UK enterprise sector’ in 2001. In 2004, he was made a member of the Government’s Council for Science & Technology. In 2012 he became a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of his contribution to the translation of science into business, and in 2013 a Distinguished Fellow of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT. Austrian by birth, Hermann speaks German, English and conversational Italian and French.
Learn more about Hermann Hauser on Crunchbase… Read more about Amadeus Capital Partners on Crunchbase…
Marc Moses
Executive Director and Group Chief Risk Officer @ HSBC
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Marc Moses was appointed as an Executive Director of HSBC Holdings plc in January 2014. He is Group Chief Risk Officer, with responsibility for risk and compliance, and a member of the Group Management Board, positions he has held since December 2010. Mr Moses joined HSBC in November 2005 as Chief Financial and Risk Officer with global responsibility for leading and managing the Global Banking and Markets finance and risk functions. In January 2008 he was also appointed Chief of Staff, responsible for all infrastructure in Global Banking and Markets. Mr Moses began his career at Sedgwick before joining Bankers Trust as a fixed income, money market and futures trader. He is a qualified accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He was audit partner and head of the market risk advisory group at PricewaterhouseCoopers and in 1999 he joined JP Morgan as European chief financial officer and global head of the valuation control group. Mr Moses is married with four children. He is a keen Arsenal football supporter and enjoys playing tennis.
Learn more about Marc Moses on Crunchbase…HSBC is a banking and financial services organization that offers a comprehensive range of services. Read more about HSBC on Crunchbase…
Neil McRae
Managing Director and Chief Architect @ BT Global Services
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Named after Neil Armstrong, Neil has a personal purpose of working to connect as many people together as possible, and this is been a driving force in his career. Since the early nineties Neil has been a leading innovator in the Internet and Telecommunications industry: from using open software to create one of the first service providers in the UK, to building several Global Telecommunications and Internet Networks. Neil has significant knowledge and experience in IP technologies and also significant experience with Optical, Mobile, Voice, xDSL, MPLS and Ethernet. He ran Network Engineering at COLT for ten years, (where he also contributed to COLT’s datacentre build) and ran Network Engineering at Cable and Wireless for four years. For the last four years Neil has led BT’s global network strategy, culminating in extending BT’s leading position in the Gartner magic quadrant, and supporting significant global network expansion. In addition, Neil has worked to expand BT’s footprint and capability in the UK, from BT’s fibre network through to Ethernet, Broadband and TV services. Neil is one of two ‘Distinguished Engineers’ in BT. Neil has been involved in the start-up of many internet governance and supporting organisations, and has been a non-executive director of the London Internet Exchange for fifteen years. Neil has studied leadership and management at Sloan School of Management. He is married with one daughter and has a passion for motorsports and technology.
Learn more about Neil McRae on Crunchbase…BT Global Services plc is a division of United Kingdom telecommunications operator BT Group. Read more about BT Global Services on Crunchbase…
Will Martin
Founder and Director @ Portfolio Ventures
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Will Brooks
Founder & Director @ Portfolio Ventures
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Masroor Siddiqui
Member of the Board of Directors @ News Corp
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Masroor Siddiqui is the Managing Partner of Naya Management LLP, an investment firm he co-founded in May 2012. Masroor was previously a Partner at The Children’s Investment Fund Management (UK) LLP, a hedge fund, from 2009 to 2011 and a Managing Director at Canyon Partners, an investment firm, from 2006 to 2009. Masroor previously served as a Senior Vice President at Putnam Investments, where he was responsible for a broad range of investments. Masroor spent several years as an investment banker and sell-side Analyst primarily at Goldman Sachs and Jefferies & Company. Masroor is a Member of the Board of Directors at News Corp since June 2013. Masroor has significant experience in investing with a focus on media investments. Masroor offers the Board valuable insights on global markets and industries relevant to the Company’s businesses. Masroor graduated from Yale University with a Master’s degree in Management and he also holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Nathan Luckey
Managing Director, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets @ Macquarie Group
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Nathan is a Managing Director in Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, and holds a number of non-executive directorship roles for companies within MIRA’s investment portfolio. Nathan is a qualified Mechanical Engineer, with expertise across the utilities, telecommunications, transportation and media sectors.
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Guy Flintham
Director @ OnSerro
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OnSerro provides community management software for companies to engage with customers and clients. Read more about OnSerro on Crunchbase…
Mark Gerhard
Member Board Of Directors @ MarketWise
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Mark Gerhard, is a highly experienced technology entrepreneur, innovator and an accomplished and award-winning Chief Executive Officer and CTO at the forefront of the interactive entertainment sector. Mr. Gerhard served as Chief Executive Officer and CTO at Jagex, the UK’s leading games developer and publisher best known as the makers of RuneScape.com, a free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Under Mr. Gerhard’s leadership, Jagex was set on a long-term growth path with a revitalized core franchise on multiple platforms, giving the multi-award winning IP owner and publisher long-term predictable revenue streams. He introduced numerous product improvements ranging from more contemporary gameplay mechanics to graphical and performance improvements to enhanced monetization to community engagement. The company was awarded three Guinness World Records for record-breaking successes with RuneScape alongside the Queens Award for Innovation in Enterprise. He hired and developed the talent that has gone on to lead the company successfully after his departure. During his tenure, significant value for shareholders was created through the fusion of leading-edge technology, creativity and strategic thinking. He is passionate about building, growing and transforming businesses. He has spent the past two decades improving, innovating, developing, investing in, advising, and operating at a strategic board level at a wide range of different businesses sitting at the intersection of media and technology. For over a decade, Mr. Gerhard has been a significant leader in the Video Games industry. He has served on the Board of the not-for-profit trade association for the games industry, TIGA.org for the past 11 years, of which the last 7 years he has also served as Vice Chairman of the Board, where he continues to serve. Most recently, he was Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of PlayFusion, a developer utilizing artificial intelligence to power the future of enhanced reality entertainment, education, beauty and commerce. Prior to his career in the games industry, he worked in numerous senior technology and cyber security roles at GTech Corporation, Ministry of Data and Serious Global. He currently serves on the board of TIGA, PlayFusion, Disruptional and Beauty Labs International, Cambridge Venture Partners and key prior board experience includes Jagex, Ministry of Data and Serious Global. A member of Founders for Schools, Mr. Gerhard is a regular speaker inspiring young adults to focus on STEM subjects.
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Paul Heydon
Director @ Unity Capital
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30 years as a founder, operator, investor, and advisor. Previously Paul was a Co-Founder and General Partner at LVP. Paul has invested in Supercell (majority acquired by Tencent), Unity (NYSE:U), Matchmade, Radiant Entertainment (acquired by Riot Games), Boomlagoon (acquired by Wargaming), Peak (acquired by Hachette Livre), AppOnboard, FRVR, Starform, Gameclub, Coherence, Lucid Sight, Doppio Games, Capture, Flick, EvenPrime, Tellie & Litho and others. Previously, he was an investment banker at Avista Partners, Commerzbank Securities & ING Barings. He has both a HBA & MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at University of Western Ontario in Canada.
Learn more about Paul Heydon on Crunchbase…Personal holding company for Paul Heydon (early investor in Supercell, Unity & many others) Read more about Unity Capital on Crunchbase…
Mahesh Kolli
Founder, President, and Joint Managing Director @ Greenko Group
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Greenko is the largest renewable energy company in India with over $6 billion in investments and operating 5000MW of energy assets across 15 states in thecountry. Mahesh Kolli, a young & dynamic first-generation serial entrepreneur. After graduating in Mechanical Engineering, he has successfully founded and developed multiple businesses in Information Technology, Environmental Technologies, Clean Energy and Urban Infrastructure sectors over the last decade. His entrepreneurial journey started with an environmental solutions company focused on technology transfer from developed markets to India. Mahesh believes in creating infrastructure that has a lasting social impact while contributing to the growing demands of India as a nation and has always strived to contribute to the growth of the country thorough establishing suchbusinesses. Mahesh made his mark in the Indian Energy Sector by co-founding Greenko Group, a focused clean energy company along with Mr. Anil Chalamalasetty in 2006. Greenko is India’s leading Integrated Power Player & is replacing fossil fuel dependency with digitized, decentralized & decarbonized energy solutions. Mahesh is a keen participant and panelist in various investor forums and interacts with regulatory authorities and policy makers to ensure the development of the clean energy sector in India. In Feb 2019 the CEO club India awarded Mahesh with the “Unicorn Award ” for Greenko, for its exponential growth in ten years of operation to become the largest clean energy company operating in India . Outside of work, Mahesh stays in close touch with his roots and contributes towards the development of skilled individuals who can play a constructive role in India’s future.
Learn more about Mahesh Kolli on Crunchbase… Read more about Greenko Group on Crunchbase…
Monica Hyerim Lee
Founder & CEO / Managing Director @ FrontRow Global
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Music Data Intelligence for Music Industry Read more about FrontRow Global on Crunchbase…
Phil Hooker
Director of Technology @ Rockstar North
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Rockstar North creates and publishes video game franchises such as the Grand Theft Auto Series. Read more about Rockstar North on Crunchbase…
Henry Joseph-Grant
Director @ Alpha Exploration Co
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Henry is a globally recognised entrepreneur and operator. He is currently cofounder of Alpha Exploration Co Ltd a stealth startup based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Previously, Henry was a key part of the team that built JUST EAT from a startup in the UK to $2.44Bn IPO. He joined the company before any venture capital had been invested and helping the company to achieve performance that then attracted investment from top tier VC’s Index Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, 83 North and Vitruvian Partners investing substantially at Series A, B and C. Henry worked directly with JUST EAT’s founder Jesper Buch and former CEO David Buttress. After JUST EAT, Henry went on to hold senior roles at Uber Rival Gett etc and founded the European arm of Abraaj Group’s portfolio company The Entertainer. Over the past decade, Henry has worked with Startups, Venture Capital and PE fund across the world as an advisor and operator. Henry is an advisor to several startups and mentors CEO’s for several accelerators, investment funds including the likes of Seedcamp, Pi Labs, ZincVC and Techstars and is a contributing writer at Irish Tech News, interviewing the likes of Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, Careem co-founder Mudassir Sheikha, Huawei founder Mr Ren Zhengfei and Gary Vaynerchuck.
Learn more about Henry Joseph-Grant on Crunchbase…Alpha Exploration Co is an internet company that offers SaaS. Read more about Alpha Exploration Co on Crunchbase…
Ben Starr
Founder and Managing Director @ 15 Marketing
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Ben Starr is an internet entrepreneur who founded and is the current managing director of 15 Marketing. With a degree from The University of Birmingham in Accounting and Finance, he spurned offers from major accounting firms and started his career in American online sports betting. He moved into UK e-gaming in 2005, focusing primarily within the online bingo vertical. Gaining experience at Herotech, Cashcade and Party Gaming, he founded marketing agency 15 Marketing in December of 2009. A keen sportsman, Ben spends his spare time keeping fit by playing football, squash and basketball. He lives in North London with his wife and at time of writing, one child. Hard working but never one for corporate life, he founded 15 Marketing with the requirement of a relaxed dress code and an open plan office. He is known for regularly working 18 hour days, treating his laptop like he would his child and appearing in the office as early as 4am. He is a fanatical basketball fan who follows the NBA avidly, making trips to the USA whenever he can to watch a live game. Founded Jumpman Gaming, October 2012.
Learn more about Ben Starr on Crunchbase…Launched in 2009, 15 Marketing is a boutique agency 3.0 to the eGaming industry. Founded by Ben Starr, the company looks after many major Read more about 15 Marketing on Crunchbase…
Ilya Kondrashov
Co-founder & Managing Director @ MarketFinance
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Having spent three years working within one of the world’s largest legacy financial institutions, Ilya was exposed to the outdated service banks were providing to private businesses. He realised that business owners felt let down by their bank, and set out to build a better alternative. He also represents MarketInvoice in its efforts to promote transparency and fairness within the alternative finance industry, sitting on multiple compliance and regulatory bodies including the P2PFA.
Learn more about Ilya Kondrashov on Crunchbase…MarketFinance is a FinTech company providing business finance solutions that help companies grow. Read more about MarketFinance on Crunchbase…
Ken Mulvany
Founder & Board Director @ BenevolentAI
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Mr. Ken Mulvany is a serial entrepreneur and investor with more than 20 years of business leadership experience. He is the Founder and Chairman of BenevolentAI, a $2bn machine intelligence company with end-to-end drug development capabilities. Mr. Mulvany was previously Founder and CEO of Proximagen, a leading biotech company developing medicines for central nervous system disorders, which he sold in 2012. Mulvany sits on several advisory boards including the advisory panel to the UK Government on Artificial Intelligence and the Advisory Board for Oxford Sciences Innovations. He is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence, and formerly, the Chairman of the Trustees of the Cure Parkinson’s Trust. Mr. Mulvany is a world champion sailor and competed in the 1992 America’s Cup.
Learn more about Ken Mulvany on Crunchbase…BenevolentAI is a developer of artificial intelligence and computational medicine technologies. Read more about BenevolentAI on Crunchbase…
Richard Wohanka
Director & Chairman @ Embark Group
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Richard is our largest shareholder of Embark Group and has more than 30 years of experience in financial services, specifically in asset management. He has forged a robust reputation for building global, high-quality, investment-led businesses. He has previously held chief executive officer roles at Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) Asset Management, BNP Paribas Investment Partners (Fortis Investments), WestLB Asset Management and Baring Asset Management. His early career featured successful positions in fixed income and equities at Paribas and the European Banking Corporation. Richard holds non-executive director roles at BTG plc and Scottish Widows. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Scottish Widows Pension Fund and a member of the Board of Trustees of The James Neill Pension Plan. He is a board member of UBP Japan and a trustee of the Nuclear Liabilities Fund. He is also a member of the Board of Julius Baer International and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.
Learn more about Richard Wohanka on Crunchbase…Embark Group provides retirement and financial services. Read more about Embark Group on Crunchbase…
Gabriel Caillaux
Co-President, Managing Director and Head of EMEA @ General Atlantic
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Gabriel Caillaux is Co-President, Managing Director and Head of General Atlantic’s business in EMEA. He is also a member of the firm’s Management and Investment Committees. Since joining the firm in 2004, Gabriel has helped expand the firm’s investment focus across the greater European region to include Eastern Europe and the Middle East. He focuses on investments in the Financial Services and Technology sectors. Before joining General Atlantic, Gabriel worked in the telecoms, media & technology division at Merrill Lynch in London and New York.
Learn more about Gabriel Caillaux on Crunchbase… Read more about General Atlantic on Crunchbase…
Tom Singh
Founder & Non-Executive Director @ New Look
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Tom Singh OBE is the Founder of New Look, a leading UK entrepreneur and active private investor with family interests spanning: retail, technology, real estate, renewable energy sectors and private equity. He currently holds the position of Non-Executive Board Member for New Look with over 900 stores worldwide which he founded in 1969. In addition to his responsibilities at New Look, Tom is a founding member of: the Social Investment Task Force, the Chairman of the UK Advisory Council for the British Asian Trust, and is a Trustee of the Pakhar Foundation. Tom is an active philanthropist and social investor and in recent years, has taken an increasing interest in the world of technology.
Learn more about Tom Singh on Crunchbase…New Look is a retail seller of mens and womens clothing. Read more about New Look on Crunchbase…
Peter F Gallagher
Founder, Managing Director @ a2B Advisory Consulting
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Peter is a Change Management Global Thought Leader, Expert, International Corporate Conference Speaker, Author and Leadership Alignment Coach. Ranked #1 Global Thought Leaders and Influencer on Change Management (May 2021 & 2020) by Thinkers360. Top 50 Business and Technology Books – Thinkers360: Change Management Adoption – Jul 2021 Change Management Handbook – Dec 2020 Change Management Pocket Guide – Jan 2020 Peter consults, speaks, and writes on the Leadership of Change®. For the last 30 years he has worked in over 30 countries for some of the world’s largest and most successful organisations. He has helped these organisations, their leaders and employees deliver change, improvement, and transformation. Consulting – Change Leadership Alignment: At the start of an organisation change journey, Peter asks all leaders: “Do you have a change vision? Are you aligned on your strategic objectives? Are you a high performing team? Does your team have change leadership skills to lead the change or improvement that your organisation is facing?” He then works with the leadership team to develop a solution. Keynotes – Leadership of Change®: ~ Three Key Responsibilities for Organisational Change Leaders ~ Aligning Leadership Teams to Lead Organisational Change ~ 10 Change Management Lessons Learned that Leaders SHOULD Know Change Management Gamification Workshops (Virtual or Face-to-face): ~ Leadership ~ Adoption ~ Behaviour Author: Leadership of Change – Change Management Body of Knowledge: 1 – Change Management Fables 2 – Change Management Pocket Guide 3 – Change Management Handbook 4 – Change Management Leadership 5 – Change Management Adoption A – Change Management Gamification Leadership B – Change Management Gamification Adoption Coming in 2021 6 – Change Management Behaviour 7 – Change Management Sponsorship C – Change Management Gamification Behaviour https://amzn.to/3rxIVjj Peter has an MBA (Distinction) from the Robert Gordon University. He is an American Society of Quality (ASQ) Certified Manager of Quality, and one of the ‘First 500’ globally Certified Change Management Professionals™ (CCMP™) with the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP). He also holds three certifications from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Board Member: Vice President of the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) UK Speaker Association: VSA International E-mail: peter.gallagher@a2B.consulting Consulting: https://www.a2b.consulting/ Speaking: https://www.peterfgallagher.com/
Learn more about Peter F Gallagher on Crunchbase…a2B Consulting offers specialised change consulting and c-suite advisory services. Read more about a2B Advisory Consulting on Crunchbase…
Chris Bischoff
Managing Director @ General Catalyst
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Chris joined General Catalyst in May 2021 to co-lead their efforts in Europe as well as in healthcare globally. He previously led the investment team at Kinnevik (STO:KINV-A/B), Europe’s leading listed growth investor, overseeing the London office and all investments outside of the Nordics. Earlier in his career, Chris was a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs International in the TMT team.
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Gaby Salem
Managing Director @ Wharton Asset Management Company Limited
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Gaby is the founder and Managing Director of Wharton Asset Management, a private London based family office specialising in private equity investment in diverse sectors including healthcare and biotechnology. Gaby has over 20 years of experience in finance and investment. He is the co-founder of Rexgenero bringing together the licence partner, the investors and management team within Rexgenero. He represents the principal shareholders and funders of Rexgenero.
Learn more about Gaby Salem on Crunchbase…Wharton Asset Management is an investment management company. Read more about Wharton Asset Management Company Limited on Crunchbase…
Darren Shapland
Non Executive Director @ Ferguson plc
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Darren is Chairman of Poundland Group plc and was appointed Chairman of Maplin Electronics Limited in August 2014, Chairman of Topps Tiles Plc in March 2015 and Chairman of Notonthehighstreet.com in June 2015. He retired from his position as a Non Executive Director and as Chairman of the Audit Committee of Ladbrokes Plc on 24 September 2015. Between 2012 and 2013 he was Chief Executive Officer of Carpetright Plc. Prior to that, Mr Shapland was J Sainsbury plc Chief Financial Officer from 2005 to 2010 and Group Development Director from 2010 to 2011. He was also Chairman of Sainsbury’s Bank. Previously, Mr Shapland was Group Finance Director of Carpetright plc between 2002 and 2005, Finance Director of Superdrug Stores plc between 2000 and 2002 and held a variety of positions with the Burton Group and Arcadia.
Learn more about Darren Shapland on Crunchbase…Ferguson plc an international business, operating group’s strength is to operate strong national businesses in home markets. Read more about Ferguson plc on Crunchbase…
Keld van Schreven
Co-Founder and Managing Director @ KR1 plc
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Keld is cofounder of KR1 UKs leading crypto investment public company. First investors in Melonport, Funfair, Rocketpool and Etherisc. Keld is advisor to IXLedger and previously cofounder of several web startups since 1995. www.kryptonite1.co
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Paula Jordan
UK Services Operations & HR Director @ SCC
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Paula is responsible for the delivery of Operations Services. Paula’s remit comprises responsibility for the Data Centre, Managed Services, AV, Systems Engineers and Flexible Resourcing. After joining SCC in 1996 as HR Manager, Paula undertook several roles within the Human Resources division before being appointed to the board in 2002.
Learn more about Paula Jordan on Crunchbase…SCC enable people to do business by planning, supplying, integrating and managing their IT. Read more about SCC on Crunchbase…
Nick Hungerford
Director @ Nutmeg
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Nick is the founding CEO of Nutmeg. Following a business degree at Exeter University, Nick worked at Barclays in the areas of product, banking and wealth management. Nick was a Divisional Director at Brewin Dolphin and has an MBA from Stanford University in the United States. Nick’s industry and investment views are respected globally and he frequently appears on Bloomberg, CNBC and BBC and has been quoted in the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal and many international publications. Nick has been a guest lecturer at academic institutions including Harvard, Stanford and London Business School and has represented UKTI around the world, promoting the benefits of doing business in Britain.
Learn more about Nick Hungerford on Crunchbase…Nutmeg is an online investment service that specializes in investments, ISAs and pensions. Read more about Nutmeg on Crunchbase…
Scott Collins
Managing Director and COO @ Summit Partners
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Scott Collins is the Managing Director at Summit Partners. Scott joined Summit Partners in 1996. Scott manages the firm’s London office, which he founded in 2001. Scott is active in Summit’s investment activities in North America, Europe and Asia. During his 17 years with Summit Partners, Scott has served on the board of directors of more than 25 companies. Currently he is a director of 360T Group, Acturis Limited, AVAST Software, Bigpoint, vente-privee.com and Welltec International. His prior directorships include Dorn Technology Group (acquired by Policy Management Systems Corporation), Elumen Solutions (acquired by Computer Task Group), Hittite Microwave Corporation (NASDAQ: HITT), Jamba! AG (acquired by VeriSign), Ogone (acquired by Ingenico), SafeBoot Holdings (acquired by McAfee) and Web Reservations International (acquired by Hellman & Friedman). Prior to Summit, Scott worked as a Strategy Consultant with McKinsey & Company in the financial institutions group. Scott also served in a variety of U.S. federal government positions, including at the White House and Department of Justice. Scott holds an A.B. degree in Economics, magna cum laude, from Harvard University and a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School. While at Harvard, Scott was captain of the varsity football team and later served as managing editor of the Harvard Law Review. Scott is a former director of the Harvard Alumni Association and remains active in Harvard-related activities. Scott was a founding Trustee of the Private Equity Foundation, a leading venture philanthropy in the U.K. dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged youth and he served on the board from 2007 to 2012. Scott holds British and U.S. dual citizenship. Scott’s personal interests include sport and fitness, the arts, and spending time with his children.
Learn more about Scott Collins on Crunchbase… Read more about Summit Partners on Crunchbase…
Enrique Perez Hernandez
Managing Director & Head of EMEA Technology Investment Banking @ Morgan Stanley
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Enrique Perez-Hernandez is the Managing Director at Morgan Stanley & Co Ltd in London. For the last 20 years he’s been the head of EMEA technology and investment banking at Morgan Stanley, a global financial services firm and a market leader in securities, asset management and credit services. In 2010 he was promoted and moved from the Madrid offices to London. He previously advised the Madrid branch on takeovers, share and convertible bond issues, and acquisition financing. Enrique is skilled in investment banking, equities, corporate finance, capital markets, business strategy and financial markets. He holds a BA in business administration from Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
Learn more about Enrique Perez Hernandez on Crunchbase… Read more about Morgan Stanley on Crunchbase…
Craig Fenton
Director – Strategy & Operations @ Google
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Read more about Google on Crunchbase…
Benjamin Todd
CEO, Co Founder & Executive Director @ 80,000 Hours
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In under three years with Ben’s leadership, 80,000 Hours has grown from a student society, to an Oxford affiliated charity, featured on TED, the Washington Post, the BBC Today Programme and more. Ben has a 1st from Oxford in Physics and Philosophy, has published in Climate Physics and speaks Chinese. Before 80,000 Hours, he was the first undergraduate to intern as an analyst at a top investment fund. Rather than taking the job, he persuaded the Chairman to donate £60,000 to 80,000 Hours.
Learn more about Benjamin Todd on Crunchbase…80,000 Hours is an evidence-based advice on careers that make a difference. Read more about 80,000 Hours on Crunchbase…
Paolo Ardoino
CTO @ Bitfinex
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I am a computer scientist, a geek, an innovator and a creative. My strength is to continuously learn new technologies and improve my programming skills so that I can conceive new ideas, tests and projects. Newly learned informations allows me to constantly improve existing projects. Programming languages and technologies (expert level): Javascript, Node.js, GoLang, C, C++, C#, Java, ZeroMQ, RabbitMQ, Linux (Kernel and User-space), MongoDB, Redis, PostgreSQL, MySQL, PHP, Websockets, Socket.io, AngularJS, HTML5, JQuery, D3.js, CSS3 (LESS). I have an extensive knowledge and have coded algorithms applied to many fields, from artificial intelligence and automated learning to data analysis, cryptography and networking: SOM, Genetic Algorithms, GNG, k-NN, large integer factorization algorithms (Pollard P-1, Lenstra’s Elliptic Curve), etc.
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Simon Knowles
CTO & Founder @ Graphcore
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Vice President Strategy & DXP® Technology and Founder Simon is responsible for Icera’s corporate strategy and product roadmap. For the first 7 years of Icera’s evolution Simon served as Vice President Silicon Engineering, delivering Icera’s first two generations of cellular chipsets. Simon is the architect of Icera’s unique DXP® processor technology and continues to direct the evolution of DXP® architecture. He is a member of the Board of Directors and a founder of the company. Prior to Icera, Simon co-founded ADSL chip company Element 14, where he served as Vice President Silicon. Element 14 was acquired by Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: BRCM) for $640M in 2000. Simon established Element 14’s design centre in Bristol, UK, and was responsible for the development of Element 14’s digital chips. Simon co-architected the FirePath processor which today enables Broadcom’s unique soft DSL modem technology. Prior to Element 14, Simon led the custom processor design group of STMicroelectronics (NASDAQ: STM), formerly the design team of processor pioneer Inmos in Bristol, UK. Simon started his career at the UK’s Defence Electronics Research Agency, after graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in Electrical Science.
Learn more about Simon Knowles on Crunchbase…Graphcore develops a microprocessor designed for AI and machine learning applications. Read more about Graphcore on Crunchbase…
Oussama Ammar
Director @ The Family
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Oussama has always been an Entrepreneur — he got his first taste of the startup world when he was 12 years old and launched one of the first web agencies in France. He spent a few years working on it with multiple spin-offs and independents platforms, including one of the first online antique shops. In his early 20’s, after a quick detour through the social sciences, law, logic and philosophy at La Sorbonne, Oussama created Hypios that became, in less than 3 years, one of the few open innovation leaders in the world. Angel Investor for over 2 years with 21+ active deals (most of them Silicon Valley-based), Oussama is trying to scale this by founding TheFamily, an accelerator for early-stage startups that supports them from [0] to [1] through education & unfair advantages. He is also a lecturer on Entrepreneurship at Sciences Po Paris. Oussama is a Lebanese-born French citizen, he grew up in Africa and France, worked in Paris, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and San Francisco, making him a true global citizen.
Learn more about Oussama Ammar on Crunchbase… Read more about The Family on Crunchbase…
James Corcoran
Executive Director & CEO @ NewDay
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James Corcoran has over 30 years of global Financial Services experience with large multi-national companies such as American Express, Citibank, HBOS and IBM. James began his career in sales and marketing moving into general management where he has held various senior executive positions over the last 20 years. He has run credit card businesses for First USA/Bank One and Amex and at HBOS his final role was CEO of Distribution, Retail & Insurance Division, prior to which he was Head of their Retail Product business units. James joined NewDay as CEO in January 2009 from Washington Mutual in Seattle where he was President of the Retail Banking Division.
Learn more about James Corcoran on Crunchbase…NewDay provides financial flexibility and convenience. Read more about NewDay on Crunchbase…
Chris Caulkin
Managing Director and Head of Technology for EMEA @ General Atlantic
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Chris Caulkin is a Principal at General Atlantic focusing his efforts on opportunities in the Business Services and Internet & Technology sectors across Eastern and Western Europe. He joined General Atlantic in their London office in 2011 and serves on the board of Studio Moderna. Prior to joining General Atlantic, he worked for Warburg Pincus in London for four years where he focused on investments in the Media, Business Services and Education spaces. Before Warburg Pincus, Chris was an associate at The Boston Consulting Group in London where he worked on a range of Media, Technology and Financial Services projects. Caulkin earned a graduate degree from the University of Cambridge with Distinction in Information & Computer Engineering. He also studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2002-2003) and earned a Masters in Finance from London Business School (2009-2011). He has been a Governor of Wembley High Technology College since 2008.
Learn more about Chris Caulkin on Crunchbase… Read more about General Atlantic on Crunchbase…
Han Sikkens
Managing Director and Head of Summit Partners Europe @ Summit Partners
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Han Sikkens joined Summit Partners in 2004. He is a Dutch national and speaks Dutch and English. Prior to Summit, he worked for Scotia Capital and IBM Corporation. Based in Summit’s London office, Han is active in the firm’s investment activities in North America, Europe and Asia. His board directorships and investments include 360T Group, Acturis Limited, AVAST Software, Flow Traders, Multifonds (IGEFI Group), SafeBoot Holdings (acquired by McAfee) and Welltec International. Han holds a BS in business administration from the University of Groningen, an MSc in international business from the University of Groningen, and an MSc in international finance from the CERAM Graduate School of Management & Technology.
Learn more about Han Sikkens on Crunchbase… Read more about Summit Partners on Crunchbase…
Quentin Griffiths
Co-Founder & Managing Director @ ACHICA
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Quentin set up online fashion phenomenon ASOS.com with Nick Robertson in 2000 and sat on the board with specific responsibility for marketing. The business listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2001 and he left in 2005 once the business achieved profitability. Prior to his involvement with online retail he ran a product placement agency working for blue chip clients like Ford, Mars, Coca-Cola and Carlsberg Tetley.
Learn more about Quentin Griffiths on Crunchbase…ACHICA is an online members-only lifestyle store offering luxury brands at discounted prices. Read more about ACHICA on Crunchbase…
Nigel Walsh
Managing Director, Insurance @ Google
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Read more about Google on Crunchbase…
Andy Phillipps
Non Executive Director @ Thought Machine
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Thought Machine is a Fintech company that builds cloud-native technology to revolutionize core banking. Read more about Thought Machine on Crunchbase…
Kenneth Caplan
Sr. Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer @ Blackstone Group
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Kenneth A. Caplan is a Senior Managing Director and Global Chief Investment Officer of the Real Estate Group. Since joining Blackstone in 1997, Kenneth Caplan has been involved in over $100 billion of real estate acquisitions and initiatives in the United States, Europe and Asia. These include major acquisitions such as Equity Office Properties, Hilton Hotels, Trizec Properties and La Quinta. Prior to his current role, Kenneth Caplan was Head of Real Estate Europe. Before joining Blackstone, he was at Lazard Frères & Co. in the real estate investment banking group. Kenneth Caplan received an A.B. in Economics from Harvard College, where he graduated magna cum laude, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was a John Harvard Scholar. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Prep for Prep.
Learn more about Kenneth Caplan on Crunchbase… Read more about Blackstone Group on Crunchbase…
Christopher Spray
Director @ Vidsy
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Christopher Spray served as a Venture Partner at Atlas Venture L.P. Mr. Spray worked in the technology group of Atlas Venture and invested in software and services and Internet related businesses. Mr. Spray established firm’s Boston office in 1986 and was responsible for United States operations until 1998 when he moved to London office. Mr. Spray had moved to United States in 1985 as an Investment Director at CIN Investment Company. He started his venture capital career in 1983 with CINVen. Mr. Spray serves as Director of DoveBid, GoIndustry, Kalido, NTRglobal, Zinwave, picoChip, KDS, and MOO Print Ltd. He served as a Director at Kalido, Inc., Koodos, Corizon Ltd., and 3V Transaction Services Limited. He has been an investor and Board Member in number of successful companies, including OnDisplay and RightPoint Software. Mr. Spray also served on the Board of Business Objects from 1992 to 1994. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and a BA in English Literature from Oxford University.
Learn more about Christopher Spray on Crunchbase…Vidsy is the creative technology engine powering mobile video ad creation for brands. Read more about Vidsy on Crunchbase…
Mark Hirschfield
CEO & Director @ A.H.Field Properties
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A.H.Field Properties is a real estate company that specializes in property management, selling, renting of houses and apartments. Read more about A.H.Field Properties on Crunchbase…
Eamonn Carey
Managing Director @ Techstars London Accelerator
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Eamonn Carey is the Managing Director at Techstars London. He was previously MD at Techstars Connection in partnership with AB InBev in New York, and has been a long term mentor, advisor and angel investor in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US. In the past, Eamonn started, succeeded and failed with several startups in Europe and the Middle East – including Farmvillain – an app which some described as the ‘South Park of Facebook’. He first started building games (as an eight year old) to impress girls in the late 1980s. His efforts were unsuccessful. His love for games lived on in spite of that fact. Since then, he has worked with Kiip – helping them establish their footprint and offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Learn more about Eamonn Carey on Crunchbase… Read more about Techstars London Accelerator on Crunchbase…
George Coehlo
Managing Director @ Good Energies
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George Coehlo is the Co-Founder and Partner of Astanor Ventures. He joined Good Energies from Balderton Capital, formerly known as Benchmark Capital, Europe, which he co-founded in 2000. Good Energies has actively invested in technology companies in all stages of development in both Europe and North America. George previously led Intel Corporation’s strategic venture capital investment outside the U.S. and, prior to that, was a founder of the group that evolved to become Intel Capital. He has served in a number of senior positions in corporate finance. George holds a B.S. from The American University and an MBA from The George Washington, D. C. University. He is a Member of the Board of Directors of the UK chapter of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs).
Learn more about George Coehlo on Crunchbase… Read more about Good Energies on Crunchbase…
Timm Schipporeit
Managing Director, Head of Europe @ Financial Technology Partners
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Timm has spent his entire career working in the European technology sector, having advised tech companies on more than $20 billion of M&A, IPO and capital raising transactions – including Adyen, Alcatel-Lucent, Autotrader, First Data, SAP, Siemens, Scout24, Supercell, Worldpay, Yandex and Zalando among others. At Index, Timm focuses on venture and growth investments in the DACH region and across Europe. His prior career experience includes 11 years at Morgan Stanley, most recently as an executive director in the European technology investment banking practice. Timm sees a future increasingly shaped by young ambitious entrepreneurs – and believes supporting them today is one of the smartest investments that can be made.
Learn more about Timm Schipporeit on Crunchbase… Read more about Financial Technology Partners on Crunchbase…
Sanoke Viswanathan
Managing Director @ JP Morgan
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Read more about JP Morgan on Crunchbase…
Gregory Dewerpe
Managing Director @ A/O PropTech
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Gregory is a seasoned real estate and technology investor with over 15 years of experience across I-Banking, real estate and venture, a multi-billion deal-making history, and a deep understanding of the financial markets, real estate and venture capital eco-systems. A/O Proptech has emerged from AMD Capital, a dedicated real estate investment company ( direct real assets, public real estate markets, and venture) also founded by Gregory after he left I-Banking where he started his career a decade earlier, at Credit Suisse and Citigroup, looking after investments, structuring and financing for Sovereign wealth funds and other large institutions. Gregory sits on the board/advisory board of a variety of companies in the tech and Real estate space including amongst others Placemake.io, Plentific, Wildstone, Fornova, Residently, Livelike and Tiger Media. Gregory is a Swiss national, fluent in English, French and Italian; he attended HEC Lausanne University, London School of Economics (Masters) and Harvard Business School. Gregory is passionate about sports, travelling, nutrition/food-tech, cancer research and fighting the destructive long-lasting impact of bullying amongst children and younger generations. Gregory currently lives between London and Berlin.
Learn more about Gregory Dewerpe on Crunchbase…Europe’s largest Proptech VC firm investing in technology companies transforming the real estate industry. Read more about A/O PropTech on Crunchbase…
Francesco Casiraghi
Managing Director @ Advent International
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Francesco Casiraghi joined Advent in 2007. In addition to managing Advent’s coverage of the Italian market, he is a member of the Industrial team. Prior to Advent, Francesco was at Merrill Lynch, where he worked for five years on the investment banking team in their London, Hong Kong, Rome and Milan offices. Prior to Merrill Lynch, he worked at Procter & Gamble as a process engineer. Francesco holds an MA in Industrial Engineering from Parma University. Francesco has worked on Advent’s investments in Circet, Laird Limited and Nexi.
Learn more about Francesco Casiraghi on Crunchbase… Read more about Advent International on Crunchbase…
Stuart Hennell
Co-Founder & Managing Director @ Watchfinder
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Stuart Hennell is a Co-Founder & Managing Director at Watchfinder • Stuart spent 6 years working on various Major UK and European Projects in the Civil Engineering Industry • He has lots of experience negotiating and developing supplier/client relationships both inside and outside of the UK as well as strong leadership skills and have used them to build a strong and successful team at Watchfinder • Stuart goal is to build Watchfinder into a worldwide brand and a byword for quality products delivered with the highest standards of customer service • Stuart studied Engineering Geology & Geotechnics at University of Portsmouth
Learn more about Stuart Hennell on Crunchbase…Watchfinder is the world’s leading retailer of pre-owned watches Read more about Watchfinder on Crunchbase…
Richard Little
Non Executive Director @ Thought Machine
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Thought Machine is a Fintech company that builds cloud-native technology to revolutionize core banking. Read more about Thought Machine on Crunchbase…
Portman Wills
Co-Founder & CTO @ Wagestream
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Wagestream is a financial services firm that allows employees to stream their earned wages into their accounts through an instant app. Read more about Wagestream on Crunchbase…
Christian Woolfenden
Managing Director @ Photobox
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PhotoBox is Europe’s leading community for sharing, printing and personal publishing with over 30 million members. Read more about Photobox on Crunchbase…
David Dutton
Director @ Zoopla
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David became a Director of Zoopla Property Group in 2012. He serves as Chairman of DMG Information, a division of Daily Mail & General Trust plc as well being a non-executive Director of a number of other DMGT subsidiaries. David has been an Executive Director of Daily Mail & General Trust plc since 1997 and advises the Group on property matters. He also serves as Chairman of UCL Business plc. David is a successful entrepreneur and holds a BA in Economics from Cambridge University and an MBA from Harvard University.
Learn more about David Dutton on Crunchbase…Zoopla is a property website in the U.K. that combines property listings with market data, local information, and community tools. Read more about Zoopla on Crunchbase…
Michael Buchen
Managing Director @ Polar Light Ventures
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Michael is the Founder & Managing Director of Polar Light Ventures AG, an investment firm based in Switzerland, focusing on early-stage technology ventures. Previously he was the Managing Director of Dhabi Holdings, a principal investment firm of senior members of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi. He joined Dhabi Holdings from Mubadala Investment Company, where he worked in the Special Situations Team. Before Mubadala, he worked for Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in Europe, China and the Middle East. Michael currently serves or served on the Boards of a number of companies in the MedTech, Software, AdTech, Financial Services, Food & Beverage, Energy, Telecom and Venture Capital space.
Learn more about Michael Buchen on Crunchbase… Read more about Polar Light Ventures on Crunchbase…
Lorenzo Franzi
Co-Founder & Managing Director @ Zipjet
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Lorenzo is Co-Founder & Managing Director of ZipJet. ZipJet is an urban pick-up & delivery service for laundry & dry cleaning in London and Berlin. Previously, Lorenzo worked with McKinsey & Company as a consultant. Prior to McKinsey, he worked with Voice.ee a micro polling start up. Lorenzo started-off his professional career at JP Morgan in London. Lorenzo holds an MBA from INSEAD and Msc in Finance from the University of Maastricht.
Learn more about Lorenzo Franzi on Crunchbase… Read more about Zipjet on Crunchbase…
Azeem Akhtar
CTO & Head of Design Team @ BT Global Services
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An articulate, highly driven and infectiously enthusiastic professional currently serving as the CTO on one of the BT’s largest outsource contracts. Technically and commercially adept with a proven track record of complex solution sales in the most challenging commercial environments globally. A finally astute problem solver with a high degree of commercial acumen focused on delivering bottom-line benefit. Very experienced in formulating market entry strategies, commercial analysis, writing business cases, and contract negotiation. A genuine team player that inspires through thought leadership, challenging the status quo and empowering team members. Multi-lingual and adept at using strong interpersonal skills to develop trusting relationships to drive business benefit. Undertakes a voluntary non-executive director role as Chairman of Active Essex.
Learn more about Azeem Akhtar on Crunchbase…BT Global Services plc is a division of United Kingdom telecommunications operator BT Group. Read more about BT Global Services on Crunchbase…
Galahad Clark
Founder & Managing Director @ Vivobarefoot
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UK-based shoe brand and Crowdcube alum Read more about Vivobarefoot on Crunchbase…
John Hahn
Senior Managing Director @ Providence Equity Partners
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John Hahn is a managing director based in our London office and leads the firm’s European private equity investment activities. He is a director of Digital Platform İletişim Hizmetleri (Digiturk), Grupo Corporativo ONO and UFO Moviez India (UMI). Prior to joining Providence in 2000, he was a managing director at Morgan Stanley. Prior to Morgan Stanley, he worked with Price Waterhouse and Federal Data Corporation. He received a Master of Business Administration from the Anderson School at the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.
Learn more about John Hahn on Crunchbase… Read more about Providence Equity Partners on Crunchbase…
Joel Smalley
Managing Director @ Supercapital Ltd
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Supercapital Ltd is fully authorised by the FCA to provide foreign currency exchange and international payments services. Read more about Supercapital Ltd on Crunchbase…
Stuart Fiertz
Co-Founder, President & Director of Research CFA, CAIA @ Cheyne Capital Management
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Stuart Fiertz is the co-founder, President and Director of Research of Cheyne Capital Management (UK) LLP. From 1991 to June 2000, and prior to establishing Cheyne Capital, Stuart worked for Morgan Stanley where he was responsible for the development and implementation of customised portfolio strategies and for credit research in the convertible bond management practice, latterly as an Executive Director. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Stuart was an equity research analyst for the Value Line Investment Survey from 1984 – 1986, and a high yield credit analyst in Boston at Merrill Lynch from 1986 – 1988 and in New York at Lehman Brothers from 1988 – 1990. During this time, Stuart was responsible for the analysis of companies in a wide range of industries. Stuart is a CFA® charterholder and a CAIA designee. He is also on the board of the CFA Society of the UK, a council director of the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), chairman of the AIMA Alternative Credit Council and a Founder of the Hedge Fund Standards Board. Stuart was educated at the International School of Geneva from 1976 – 1980 and from 1980 – 1984 at Dartmouth College where he was awarded a BA degree in Political Science and Economics.
Learn more about Stuart Fiertz on Crunchbase… Read more about Cheyne Capital Management on Crunchbase…
Faisal Galaria
Board Member & Non Executive Director @ Green Man Gaming
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Faisal Galaria is the CEO of Blippar the Augmented Reality company. He previously served as Global Head of Business Development at Spotify Limited, as Managing Director of Europe and Asia at Kayak and was early member of the Skype team. At Skype as Director of Europe, he was responsible for key partnerships across the US, Europe the Middle East, with companies such as Sony, Bebo, British Telecom, Dixons and HP. Prior to joining Skype, he was a member of the Policy Executive of the UK’s telecom and media regulator Ofcom. At Ofcom, he played a senior role in the high-profile negotiation and valuation of distribution rights for Premier League Football and co-authored the Telecoms Strategy Review. He started his career in wireless and Internet consulting and was a senior member of Cluster Consulting, which was acquired by Diamond Technology Partners (NASDAQ: DTPI) for $930 million in 2000. He has been educated across Europe and graduated with honors from UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology) with a Bachelor’s in Management Sciences in the UK. He also holds an MBA from IESE in Spain.
Learn more about Faisal Galaria on Crunchbase…Green Man Gaming is a global pure play e-commerce and technology business in the video games industry. Read more about Green Man Gaming on Crunchbase…
Luca Martinetti
Co-Founder and CTO @ TrueLayer
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TrueLayer is a fintech platform utilized to build financial apps that connect to bank data, verify accounts, and access transactions. Read more about TrueLayer on Crunchbase…
Tomas Halgas
Founder and CTO @ Stealth
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Read more about Stealth on Crunchbase…
Ed Wray
Director & Non-executive Director @ Funding Circle
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Mr. Edward Wray, Ed is a Co-Founder of Betfair Australia Pty Ltd. Mr. Wray co-founded The Sporting Exchange Limited (Alternate Name: Betfair Limited) in May 1999 and served as its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to Betfair, he spent eight years at J.P. Morgan & Co. as a Vice President in the debt capital markets and derivatives area. He serves as the Chairman at Betfair. He has been Non-executive Chairman of The Sporting Exchange Limited since 2006. He served as the Chairman of Betfair Limited since 2006. He served as Non-Executive Chairman of Betfair Group PLC from March 17, 2008 to March 6, 2012. He has been a Director at Sporting Exchange since August 1998. Mr. Wray has been a Director of Betfair Group PLC since August 20, 1999. He serves as a Non Executive Director of Funding Circle Ltd. He served as a Director at Betfair since 1999.
Learn more about Ed Wray on Crunchbase…Funding Circle is a lending platform for small businesses. Read more about Funding Circle on Crunchbase…
Robert Milton
Chairman of the Board of Directors @ United Airlines
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Robert Milton is a Member of the Board of Directors at United Continental Holdings Inc. since April 2016. Robert was Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. and was Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. Having joined Air Canada in 1992 in a consulting capacity, Robert moved from the role of Senior Director of Scheduling to Vice President of Scheduling and Product Management, Senior Vice President of Marketing and In-Flight Service and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Robert became President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada in 1999. Robert is currently the Lead Director of Air Lease Corporation, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and a Trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation Inc. Robert was a past Member of the Board of Directors of US Airways, Inc., and was also a past Chairman of the Board of Governors of IATA (The International Air Transport Association). Robert graduated in 1983 from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Industrial Management.
Learn more about Robert Milton on Crunchbase… Read more about United Airlines on Crunchbase…
David Kershaw
Co-Founder ,CEO & Exec Director @ M&C Saatchi
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David Kershaw is a founding director of M&C Saatchi. He joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 1982 after obtaining an MBA at London Business School. He became managing director in 1990 and was made chairman and chief executive of the UK agency in 1994.
Learn more about David Kershaw on Crunchbase…M&C Saatchi Group is a creative company that connects specialist expertise, fuelled by data and technology. Read more about M&C Saatchi on Crunchbase…
Stan Stalnaker
Founding Director @ Hub Culture
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Stan Stalnaker is the Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Hub Culture, an ecosystem that includes the Ven the digital currency, Ultra Exchange, AQUA quarantine system and HubID digital identity. Previously, Stan was the international director of marketing for the Time Inc. Business and Finance group, based first in Hong Kong, then London.
Learn more about Stan Stalnaker on Crunchbase…Hub Culture is a global collaboration platform focused on digital currency and identity, knowledge brokerage and community services. Read more about Hub Culture on Crunchbase…
Stephen Bourke
Co-Founder, Non-Executive Director @ Echo
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Stephen Bourke is co-founder and CEO of Echo. Stephen successfully launched the pioneering digital health business LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor in Ireland and Australia. Prior to that, he worked as a Head of Strategy for BT and a New Business Development Manager at Endpoint. He has also worked Team Leader of Consumer Parternships at Age UK. Stephen holds a Masters in Marketing from the Vlerick Business School and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Philosophy from University College Dublin.
Learn more about Stephen Bourke on Crunchbase…Echo is a simplifying pharmacy, helping everyone get the medicine they need. Read more about Echo on Crunchbase…
Sebastian Peck
Managing Director @ InMotion Ventures
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Sebastian Peck is Managing Director of InMotion Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital arm. Sebastian started his career at the Boston Consulting Group and later joined the TMT advisory team of UBS Investment Bank, providing corporate finance services for telecoms, media and technology clients. Since 2010, Sebastian has been involved in early-stage technology businesses as an investor and operator. As co-founder and CFO / COO of Digital Science, a fast-growing provider of scientific software, he successfully built a business with corporate backing from the ground up. He also established Digital Science as a leading corporate VC, developing its signature investment approach and completing more than fifty early-stage transactions. InMotion Venture’s portfolio currently comprises 15 portfolio companies include ride-hailing service Lyft, usage based insurance company ByMiles, festival travel company Festicket, multi-modal journey planner Transit, roadside assistance provider Urgent.ly, outdoor adventure platform Fatmap, self-driving taxi service Voyage, demand-responsive shuttle service Zeelo and conversational AI developer Wluper. Sebastian also developed the concept for on-demand car booking service THE OUT, a new mobility service InMotion launched in London in April 2019. Sebastian holds an MA in History from the University of Cambridge, an MSc with Distinction in Philosophy and Public Policy from the London School of Economics, and an MBA from London Business School.
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Alex Buttle
Co-Founder, Marketing Director @ Motorway
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Motorway is an online used-car marketplace for professional car dealers that sells their cars using their smartphones. Read more about Motorway on Crunchbase…
Henry Ropner
Investment Director @ FPE Capital
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Henry joined the team in September 2008 from the M&A division of Lehman Brothers International. Henry has 9 years’ experience working with unquoted companies and is responsible for origination of investment opportunities, due diligence coordination and post investment portfolio management. Henry sits on the boards of portfolio companies Sohonet and Kallidus. Henry holds a First Class degree in Engineering from the University of Edinburgh and a Master’s degree in Finance & Investment from Edinburgh University Management School. Henry qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PWC in 2007 and is an IMC holder.
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Richard Lowe
Managing Director Head of London Industry and Central London @ Barclays Investment Bank
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Read more about Barclays Investment Bank on Crunchbase…
Paolo Rubatto
Managing Director, Founder @ Start Capital
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Paolo Rubatto is Managing Director of Start Capital. His background is mainly entrepreneurial, advising startups from the consumer internet to the life sciences sector in their business development strategies as well as in their fundraising. He holds an MBA from London Business School.
Learn more about Paolo Rubatto on Crunchbase… Read more about Start Capital on Crunchbase…
Michael Ward
Managing Director @ Harrods
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Michael began his career in chartered accountancy, training originally with Ernst and Young in 1980, before taking his first Group Finance Director position at Bassett Foods PLC in 1986 gaining an MBA during this time. In 1989 he transferred his skills to the drinks industry when he was appointed Group Finance Director of H.P. Bulmer Holdings PLC. Retail beckoned, and in 1994 Michael took up the post of Managing Director of Lloyds Chemists PLC, later cementing a talent for the sector with retail roles at Celsio AG and Apax Partnership. It was in 2005 that the opportunity came to take up his current role of Managing Director at Harrods Ltd. Michael has embarked on a programme of significant business development, growing Harrods into the unrivalled successful retail model it is today, while overseeing a smooth transition to new owners in Qatar Holding. Michael was born in 1956 in Kingston upon Hull. He is married with three children, and away from the shop floor is an expert cook, while indulging a passion for collecting art and art deco glass.
Learn more about Michael Ward on Crunchbase…Harrods is an upmarket department store located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. Read more about Harrods on Crunchbase…
Megumi Ikeda
Managing Director, Europe @ Hearst Ventures
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Megumi Ikeda is the managing director of Hearst Ventures and the general manager of Hearst Ventures Europe, where she oversees investments and non-organic acquisitions across Europe. She is based in London. Ikeda previously ran the European arm of the Peacock Equity Fund, GE Capital and NBCUniversal’s $250MM venture fund. Previously, she worked in corporate M&A and distribution deals at NBCUniversal. Ikeda started her career in Tokyo as a reporter for Dow Jones and an international business manager at Wired in San Francisco. Ikeda received her undergraduate degree from Columbia College, Columbia University and earned her MBA at UCLA’s The Anderson School.
Learn more about Megumi Ikeda on Crunchbase… Read more about Hearst Ventures on Crunchbase…
Evan Hoff
Director & Founder @ Velo Partners
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Evan is a chartered accountant with significant industry experience. The initial part of his career was at PWC in audit and corporate finance. Later he was both founder and CEO of a series of ventures focused on various segments of the online gaming sector, including founder and CEO of a gaming investment company listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market. Since then, Evan has focused on venture capital, private equity and fund raising with a particular focus on gaming investments. Evan is married with 3 kids, is a hack cyclist and triathlete and when not occupied with family and business is often found tending to his flock of 3 bikes.
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Thomas Teichman
Chairman and Executive Director @ Spark Ventures
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Tom is the Chairman of SPARK Venture Management and has a long track record in backing, chairing and developing some of Europe’s most successful internet, technology, music, games and software businesses. Additionally, he has 20 years’ prior investment banking experience acquired at Credit Suisse, Bank of Montreal Nesbitt and Mitsubishi Bank, where he held various positions including Head of Corporate Finance, Trading and Syndicate. Tom was Executive Chairman of SPARK Ventures plc for 10 years until 2011 and now chairs SPARK Venture Management, which manages the SPARK Ventures plc portfolio and other significant technology and life sciences portfolios including funds from major institutions and 27 Oxford University colleges and the UK Government. Tom has operated hands-on after his City days in many small and fast growing businesses from start up to IPO or trade sale. Thus, unusually, he combines awareness of the capital markets and the M&A environments with that of entrepreneurial, rapid growth companies with mould-breaking ideas.
Learn more about Thomas Teichman on Crunchbase…SPARK Venture is an early-stage venture capital investor in Europe. Read more about Spark Ventures on Crunchbase…
Oliver Wessling
Director @ NOS Microsystems
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Specialist in electronic software distribution and cloud services tools for all platforms. Read more about NOS Microsystems on Crunchbase…
Alessandro Benedetti
Director @ Versatile Systems
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Read more about Versatile Systems on Crunchbase…
Ian McShane
Field CTO @ Arctic Wolf
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Read more about Arctic Wolf on Crunchbase…
Richard Leigh
Managing Director @ Focus Assured
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Focus Assured is a consulting firm dedicated to creating and delivering genuine value for clients’ businesses. Read more about Focus Assured on Crunchbase…
Simon Patterson
Managing Director @ Silver Lake
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Simon Patterson is a Board Director of Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc.Simon joined Silver Lake Partners in 2005 and is a Director. Prior to joining Silver Lake, he worked at General Atlantic Partners and at GF-X, provider of the leading air cargo distribution system, where he was a member of the founding management team and held the roles of Senior Vice President Asia Pacific and Product Development Director. Prior to GF-X, he was a Managing Director of BMC, a subsidiary of the Financial Times Group, and a management consultant at McKinsey & Company. He serves on the boards of Skype and Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc., and is the Chairman of the Prince’s Trust Internet and Media Leadership Group. Simon holds an MA from King’s College, Cambridge University. An MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar and was presented with the Alexander Robichek Award for Achievement in Finance.
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Mubashir Mukadam
Director, Credit @ Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
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Mubashir Mukadam (London) joined KKR in 2011 and leads the European special situations business. Prior to joining KKR, he was a managing director with York Capital in London where he helped build the European distressed and event-driven credit business. While at York Capital, Mr. Mukadam also led investments across a range of instruments and sectors and retained oversight over the trading of complex securities. In addition, he served on the informal creditor committees for a number of large European bank liquidations. Prior to joining York Capital, Mr. Mukadam was a director in Deutsche Bank? distressed debt proprietary/broker-dealer group where he sourced and invested across single asset trading names, loan and liquidation claim portfolios, and distressed private equity opportunities. He started his career at Bankers Trust/Deutsche Bank in the mergers and acquisitions group. Mr. Mukadam holds an M.B.A. with honors from The Wharton School and a B.S. (Honors) from the University of Bath.
Learn more about Mubashir Mukadam on Crunchbase… Read more about Kohlberg Kravis Roberts on Crunchbase…
Mark Dowds
Managing Director @ Anthemis Group
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Mark Dowds does nothing in half measures. An accomplished endurance runner and cyclist, a serial investor and startup founder, Mark has earned a name for his ability to motivate others to get “unstuck”—to innovate in old spaces and displace established industries in the name of relevance. He brings that level of commitment to the world of tech whether he is getting a new initiative off the ground or empowering audiences around the world. In 2012 he co-founded Trov—the world’s first on-demand insurance platform—and today is accountable for all revenue, strategy and growth as the company expands internationally. In two decades he has helped get dozens of ventures off the ground, through his Canadian-based incubators Fresh Initiatives and Creationstep. During his time in Toronto he established a co-working facility that helped nurture the city’s emerging web 2.0 community and half a dozen other start-ups, including ServiceCloud that was acquired by Salesforce.com. Mark was an LP in Bullet Time Ventures, an early seed investor in Uber, Twilio and many more emerging tech start-ups. He currently chairs the board of Generation Innovation – a program designed to bring entrepreneurial experiences to high school students throughout Northern Ireland. He is an advisor to several companies including, Neurovalens, Jumpack, StageTen, WorldBlu, and eHarvestHub. Mark is an electric speaker – tackling topics like disruption, relevance and upending the ways we approach problems primarily in the tech, finance, and insurance sectors. He thrives on pushing people forward to accomplish big things. If he is not on a plane or a stage, these days Mark is on a bike or spending time creating adventures with his two teenagers and wife of 20 years.
Learn more about Mark Dowds on Crunchbase…Anthemis Group is a global investment platform that cultivates change in the financial system. Read more about Anthemis Group on Crunchbase…
Ebele Okobi
Public Policy Director | Africa, the Middle East & Turkey @ Meta
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Ebele Okobi is the Public Policy Director, Africa, the Middle East & Turkey at Facebook. She is the former Facebook’s Head of Public Policy, Africa. Before joining Facebook, Ebele was the founding Global Head and Senior Legal Director for Human Rights at Yahoo, where she led global efforts to address the legal and policy issues related to privacy, free expression and access. Ebele was previously a corporate lawyer at Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York, Paris and London; a consumer rights policy attorney at Consumers Union in San Francisco; a senior director at Catalyst in Silicon Valley and Amsterdam; and an MDP in Nike’s EMEA headquarters, where she created marketing, corporate responsibility, and business development strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2001, she took a sabbatical to volunteer for human rights organizations in the US and Senegal. Ebele was a founding board member of the Global Network Initiative, is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and serves on the advisory boards of Women in Technology in Nigeria and TipHub. She earned a BA from the University of Southern California, a Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School, and a Certificat des Études from HEC-Paris. She is married with four children.
Learn more about Ebele Okobi on Crunchbase… Read more about Meta on Crunchbase…
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